Exploring Florida and the southeast with my paint box...
Painting the Real Florida

Welcome to My Project!

I was born and raised in Florida. After many years of travel, attending plein air paint outs, I discovered that residencies are the best way to explore the natural world I love. Working for an extended period from seven to ten days really enhances my painting experience. I am lucky to have friends and collectors who make it possible to explore the exciting and interesting locations I love to paint. Supporters provide their unoccupied vacation homes or hotel lodging for my residencies throughout the year. I am always delighted to leave an original framed painting for them as my thanks for their generous gift. If you would like to sponsor a residency, I would love to hear from you.Contact me at: linda@lindablondheim.com

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Sunday, January 19, 2014

Today was topsy turvey in weather. I left my studio for Fair Oaks in sunshine and mild temperature. When I arrived the weather changed to cold and dark almost immediately. I shivered through the above painting until the rain arrived, sending me scurrying upstairs to the cozy studio.

Lunch arrived from Blue Highway and we enjoyed flatbread sandwiches and salad and then carrot cake for dessert. Yummy! Suddenly the storm was gone and the sun revealed a splendid afternoon for painting.

Linda

Harold

Margaret

Kay

Pat

Betty

At 2 PM my mentor students began to arrive and we sorted ourselves out. They set up to paint all around and I went back and forth to enjoy watching their lovely paintings develop. At 4:30 PM we packed up and showed off the paintings to each other. It was a wonderful day and I'm very grateful to the staff at Fair Oaks for making the adventure possible for me and my friends.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

I was so delighted to wake up to cool sunny weather today. I headed for Fair Oaks right away. I bought a new paint box and I was anxious to use it this morning. After some adjustments I got down to work in the East Hay Field on this 12x12 painting of trees. The back lighting was very good in the field so I enjoyed that challenge.

In my adjusting to a new box, I managed to spill all of my medium on the cart floor, having to stop and clean that up, and then managed to get paint all over my hands. By the time I cleaned it all up it was time for lunch. I was so happy that the blue cart took me around the farm nicely today. I love that cart so much. We are happy partners.

I was greeted by my friend Kate at the cottage and we settled into lunch, a community effort. Mark, Rick and Chris created pork roast with yellow rice and biscuits. Kate brought spoon bread and I brought a savory chutney we put on the pork roast, a fine pairing.

After lunch was cleaned up, we continued with artist shop talk and then were surprised by a visit from dear friends Freddie and Sue who brought homemade lemon pie from Sue's kitchen. What a fine afternoon. I enjoyed listening to stories about Evinston and Cross Creek and marveled at how lucky and privileged I am to know all of these special and good souls gathered around the table. I am so happy That I understand how special these times are and how much they enhance my life. I'm so grateful to be a part of the magic of Fair Oaks.

The afternoon ticked away and it was time to climb into Leroy and point him toward my studio. Another day in paradise.

Friday, January 10, 2014

On ThursdayI headed out to Bllackpoint Road in the. Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge to look around and take some reference photos. I was on the hunt for birds. I found a flock of Mallards and then a group of a few Egrets, Herons, and about five Spoonbills. It was raining again, so I spent most of my time in the car.

Rain and bad weather were predicted for Friday and Saturday so I decided to head back to my cozy studio in Gainesville early this morning. It was a wise choice. I just couldn't catch a break this week. Bad weather hampered my work every day. I did manage three paintings. I will look forward to great weather next year.

I ate at my regular favorite breakfast places each morning, no new ones this year. I ate at home for lunch and dinner, so I had a nice low key trip this year. My sincere thanks to Louann Hall for her loyal and generous support.

If you would like to lend your vacation home or condo to me for a week, please let me know.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

(this image is from night with poor lighting) I'll post again when I can get a better image.

Notes From My Residency Journal

My host doesn't have Internet so I am posing when I can find wifi.

I arrived to the vortex and a couple days of harsh cold and wind, yesterday was cloudy and it is raining this morning. Alas, poor weather for exploring, but I have been painting in the house.

I have done a bit of exploring between blasts of rain and cold. Tuesday I enjoyed a couple of hours at Canaveral Seashore. I toured the now finished visitor's center, lovely place. I found some wildflowers to pick the dead heads which I will throw into the field next to my studio. I also found a prickly pear cactus joint. I'm going to add it to my cactus terrarium if it survives. The red flowers were not in bloom down at the point this year and I suspect they were killed by the cold.

Wednesday I headed down to look around at the Merritt Island National Preserve, always a favorite. It was dark and overcast, but I enjoyed Putillo Road and Bio Lab Road. Putillo was open for cars this year, Yay! It has lovely views and lots of narrow trails.

Bio lab was gorgeous as always, but very few birds. I was shocked!

Today I am going back to take a look at Blackwater Drive, on the hunt for birds.

Thanks to my wonderful hostes Louann Hall for providing her cozy vacation home for the third year. It is a charming cottage in the historic district. It is lovely and sparkling clean. I'm so fortunate to have the many supporters who make these residencies possible.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Today was my first day back at Fair Oaks since December 15th so I was delighted by everything. I decided to paint in the citrus grove today, as it is near the end of the picking season. The fruit is so pretty on the trees. The tarps are all ready for covering the grove trees. We are expecting a hard freeze shortly.

There were several guests for the day so we dined al fresco, enjoying the perfect outdoor day. We were treated to Pearl BBQ, one of my favorite places to eat.

After lunch I headed out to the fields to explore. I found a new scene I want to investigate. It is one of the scenes I wouldn't notice in summer but in winter it is lovely. I had trouble with my blue golf cart again today. The poor old fellow seems to be slowing down. I need to find him some sort of tonic :-) I'm so fond of that cart. We have had so many adventures together. There are spots and speckles of paint on the floor and all sorts of fine memories for me each time I climb in. I hope it will last.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

I'm packed up and ready for my residency in New Smyrna Beach/ Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge Monday- Saturday, next week. I look forward to this residency so much. I thank my sponsor Louann Hall for her generosity! This will be my third year. I share this residency with my pal Mary Jane Volkmann. We love it ! Louann's house is a cozy vintage Florida house on a quiet street in the historic district. Mary Jane and I like to take walks around the neighborhood late in the day before supper.

We spend a lot of our week exploring the wildlife refuge. Weather permitting we will get some Plein air work done too. The birding is spectacular in January. I'll be posting each day. The house has no internet connection so I may have to do all of my posts when I return, unless I can find Wi-Fi.

Enjoy my Monday-Friday Painting and Recipe of the Day in your email inbox.

Fuel and Food Sponsors

You can sponsor this project by donating to my fuel costs or my costs for food in traveling to residencies.
My painting supplies and housing are covered by my residency hosts and my corporate sponsors. These adventures are expensive. Your sponsorship will help me defray the costs of travel.
If you would like to assist me please use the paypal link.

Canvas panels for Discerning Artists

Individual Residence Sponsors

You can assist me by offering your vacation home or other facility for seven to ten days. This project is possible through the generosity of land and home owners who support me with their hospitality. Please contact me if you would like to offer a residency. I love to paint farms and ranches, coastal marshes, and the wild places in Florida and the southeast. I would also welcome hosting for parties and gallery exhibitions of my residency work. I am currently supported by:

Linda's Project Mission

My mission for this project is to explore and paint my favorite natural places while promoting our national, state, and county parks in Florida. I want to create more awareness of these beautiful facilities so the public may enjoy Florida's natural resources. I am a native Floridian. I love to travel and spend time studying the variety and diversity of scenery in our wonderful state. I look forward to the opportunity to discover more of natural Florida and the south, sharing it with others.